Today's Supreme Court ruling will bring immigration issues to the forefront in the race for the White House, says Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

“The Supreme Court decision upholding parts of Arizona's law will make immigration even a larger issue in the 2012 presidential campaign," said Brown. "In the longer term, the decision affirming states' ability to pass some limits on illegal immigration makes it very likely many of them will be considering similar statutes when legislatures begin meeting next year. Quinnipiac University polls have found voters' support for having Arizona-style immigration laws in their states."

A Quinnipiac University national survey April 20 showed 62 percent of American voters in favor of the court upholding Arizona's immigration law. Hispanic voters were divided as 45 percent wanted the court to uphold the law while 43 percent wanted the law overturned. A November 3, 2011, Quinnipiac University poll found that 56 percent of U.S. voters wanted their state to pass a law similar to Arizona's immigration law.

Brown is available at (203) 535-6203 to discuss today's Supreme Court decision.